Nipple or lubricant receiving device



April 1952- I c. c. 5. LE CLAIR 2,594,046

NIPPLE OR LUBRICANT RECEIVING DEVICE Filed July 20. 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l jzgi [m4 izg.

Cam'lle Cid/ &5 rmklc'rgiazr I I MM! April 1952 c, c. s. LE CLAIR 2,594,640

NIPPLE OR LUBRICANT RECEIVING DEVICE Filed July 20, 1948 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 V 61 A b 61/ Z 44 g a? 45 L5 64 45 46 45 Q '58 4? 59 5 .45 43A I 5 7: 7" 48B Fzg 7 6 V I [lg Iwaenan- C. C- 5. LE CLAIR NIPPLE 0R LUBRICANT RECEIVING, DEVICE April 22, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 20, 1948 Camila Clare Patented Apr. 22, 1952 NIPPLE R LUBRICANT RECEIVING DEVIC Camille Clare Sprankling Le Clair, London, England, assignor to Tecalemit Limited, Brentford, England, a corporation of Great Britain 7. Application July 20, 1948, Serial No. 39,729

In Great Britain July 25, 1947 11 Claims.

This invention relates in general to nipples or lubricant-receiving devices (hereinafter called nipples) for use in lubrication systems, with grease gun, or equivalent, nozzles and which are so constructed that dirt cannot collect in their lubricant-receiving passages.

In my co-pending application No. 37,994 which has matured into Patent Number 2,546,672, I have described and claimed a number of resilient, lubricant-impervious closure members or teats some of which were adapted to act as closures for the inlet ends of lubricant supply passages formed in rigid nipples and some of which themselves formed complete nipples which were adapted to act asclosures for the inlet ends of lubricant supply passages formed in hearings orother places of use. Each of these closure members or teats included a body part comprising a shank which was adapted to be fixed in the said lubricant supply passage, a nozzle-engaging head, and a'lubricant'passage in the form of a hole of no measurable diameter or one or more slits of no measurable width, such that there was no exposed aperture or space in the closure member or teat in which dirt could collect. The said nozzle-engaging head was so formed that when the closure member or teat was in its working position in the said lubricant supply passage pressure, applied in the axial direction by the nozzle of a grease gun to the outer surface of the said nozzle-engaging head around, and at a position spaced laterally from, the inlet end of the said lubricant passage in the closure member or teat, caused the head to be distorted or deflected in such a manner that the inlet end of the said lubricant passage was opened or spread initially to allow the entry of an injector device, whereby lubricant under pressure fed into the injector device might be forced through the lubricant passage into the bearing or other place of use.

The object of the present invention is to provide resilient closure members or teats which are similarly provided with normally-closed lubricant passages of small size of no measurable diameter or width but which are so constructed that by thrust applied to them in the radial direction the inlet ends of the said passages may be pulled open initially, so as to permit of the entry of lubricant injector devices which form parts of the nozzles of grease guns and through which lubricant may be injected under pressure into the said passages and thence to the places of use of the lubricant.

Like those described and claimed in the said specification resilient closure members or teats according to this invention have the advantage that their outer surfaces, which inevitably are dirt-laden, are pulled away from the mouths 'of the said lubricant passages so that the said injector devices enter clean surfaces and do not, (as in known types of nipples) push dirt into those passages.

The present invention provides a resilient lubricant-impervious closure member or teat which is constructed so as to act either as a closure for the inlet end of a lubricant supply passage formed in a hollow rigid nipple having a body part including a projecting, teat-receiving collar or sleeve, or which, alternatively, is constructed so as to form a complete nipple which is adapted to act as a closure for the inlet end of a lubricant supply passage formed in a bearing or other member upon which the closure member is mounted, the said closure member or teat either being in the form of a hollow cap adapted "to be mounted upon the said rigid nipple collar or sleeve, or itself constituting a nipple comprising a body part, a shank, by means of which the closure member or teat may be fixed in the said lubricant supply passage in the hearing or other member upon which the closure member is mounted (hereinafter called bearing) and a nozzle-engaging head, the closure member or teat in either case being formed with a normallyclosed lubricant passage in the form of a hole of no measurable diameter'or one or more slits of no measurable width, the arrangement being such that pressure applied by the nozzleof a grease gun radially or laterally to the outer sur face of the side of the" said cap or the nozzleengaging head causes the cap or the head to be distorted or deflected in such a manner that the pressure is applied to the material at the side of the closure member or teat below the said means and the material is thereby forced inwards, the material above and radially inwards of the said means is forced outwards by leverage effects, and the inlet end of the said lubricant passage in the closure member or teat is thereby opened.

In one constructional form, the closure mem- 3 her or teat is in the form of a hollow cap adapted to be mounted upon the teat-receiving sleeve of a hollow rigid nipple body part, the said cap being formed with an internal recess which is of such a size relative to the said sleeve that a closed annular space is left between the latter and the wall of the said cap. The said recess is so shaped that when the capis fitted upon the said sleeve the upper end of the latter engages in a groove in the cap and thus acts as a fulcrum about which a leverage effect can take place so that when lateral or radial pressure is applied to the side of the cap it will cause the material of the cap surrounding the said recess to be forced inwardly and thereby the material of the upper end of the cap to bespread: thus pulling open the inlet end of the lubricant. passage in the closure member or teat.

The rigid nipple body part is provided with external locating means, such as a laterallyprojecting flange, which not only serves as a stop against which the nipple is screwed but also acts to limit the extent to which the nozzle of the grease gun can be engaged over the resilient closure member or teat.

In an. alternative. construction, however, the closure member or teat itself forms a complete nipple adapted to act as a closure member for the said lubricant supply passage in the bearing and which comprises a body part a shank by which it may be fiXed in the said lubricant supply passage and, a nozzle-engaging head, which is formed with an internal recess terminating short of the upper surface of the said head and thus provides a comparatively thin wall'through which is formed a normally-closed lubricant passage in theform of a hole of no measurable diameter or one or more slits of no measurable width. In a. preferred nipple of this construction a rigid reinforcing ring. is, fitted in the said recess and acts as a fulcrum around which the material of the head moves so that the inlet end of the lubricant. passage in the head is opened by a leverage effect when lateral pressure is applied to the side of the said head.

Locating means, corresponding to those provided in the rigid nipple construction, and comprising a laterally projecting flange, are also provided in this construction, for the same purpose, viz to locate the nipple. on the bearing and to limit the amount ofv engagement of the nozzle over the head.

Two constructional forms of nipples constructed in accordance with the present invention, and several formsof nozzles adapted to be used with nipples made according to the invention are shown, by .way of example, on the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a sectional view of. a nipple which comprises, a rigid body part fitted with a closure member or. teat of resilient, lubricant-impervious material which is in the form of a hollow cap provided with a; lubricant passage in the form of a hole of. nomeasurable diameter;

FigureZ is a sectional view. of a closure member or teatwhich is made of resilient, lubricantimpervious material and which itself forms a nippleadapted to be fitted in a lubricant supply passage in a bearing;

Figures 3. to 5 are plan views of modified, closure members or teats in which the normally closed lubricantpassage is formed by one or more slits of no measurable-width;

Figure 6- is a. sectional view or"v a grease, gun nozzle applied to a nipple as shown in Figure 2,

the nozzle comprising an injector device which is operated by the pressure of the grease in the nozzle, and a flexible ring which embraces the nozzle-engaging head of the nipple and is ada ted to distort the head so as to open the inlet end of the lubricant passage under the action of manual pressure applied to the nozzle;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a second nozzle applied to a nipple as shown in Figure 2, the nozzle comprising, an injector device which is operated by the pressure of the grease in the nozzle; and a flexible ring which embraces the nozzle-engaging-head of the nipple and which is adapted to distort thehead so as to open the inlet end of the lubricant passage under the action of the grease pressure;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a third nozzle applied to: a nipple as shown in Figure 2, the nozzle being similar in construction and operation to that shOWn in Figure 6 but including a number of laterally-movable jaws for distorting the said nozzle-engaging head; Figurev 9 is av sectional view of a fourth nozzle appliedto a nippleas shown in Figure 2, the nozzle being similar in construction and opera,- tion to. that shown. in Figure '7, but including a number of laterally-movable jaws for distorting the saidnozzle-engaging head; and

FigurelO is a. sectional view of a fifth nozzle applied, to a nipple as. shown in Figure 2, the nozzle comprising an injector device which is operated by the pressure of the grease in the nozzle, a-number of. laterally-movable jaws which are adapted. to engage, around and distort the nozzle-engaging head of the nipple, and means, including .a. slidable sleeve and a, pivoted operatinglever, for moving the jaws into and out of their operative positions in which they act to distort. the said. head.

For convenience of. description, hereinafter it will be assumed that. the nipples and nozzles are arranged vertically.

Referring first to Figure 1:

Thenipple comprisesa metallic or other rigid body part having. a locating flange or head I, which may. betshaped. for engagement by a spanner, andv a shank 2 which is threaded externally to. screw into. a threaded holeon the bearing (not shown). The nipple body part also comprises .a relatively thin integral teat-receiving sleeve 3. whichprojects upwardly from the flange I. The nipplebody partis also formed with a bore 4 which. forms a lubricant supply passage through which. the lubricant under pressure is supplied to. the bearing.

The nipple also comprises a lubricant-impervious teat of resilient material, such as rubber or synthetic rubber, which is in the form of a hollow cap. or thimble 5" having a central pearshaped recess 6 which is so shaped and positioned that when the teat is'fitted over the sleeve 3 theupper edge of the sleeve engages in a groove 6a near the upper end of the recess and an annular. space I is formed. around the outside of the sleeve, between, it and the material of the teat surrounding it.

A smallcentralhole 8, which'is of no measurable, diameter and is normally closed, is formed, asby. piercing; through the relatively thin material lying between the top surface 9 of the closure member or teat and the upper end of the recess 5.

As will be described hereinafter, the radial thrust exerted by the grease gunnozzle'isapplied externally of 'the cap 5, at a'point indicatedby the arrow, opposite to the annular space I and the inlet end of the small size hole 8 is opened by a leverage effect about the upper edge of the sleeve 3, which thereby acts as a fulcrum.

Referring to Figure 2, in this construction the resilient closure member or teat itself forms a complete hollow nipple, which comprises a shank II] which is adapted to be press-fitted or bonded or otherwise fixed in a hole II formed in the bearing. The nipple also comprises an annular locating shoulder or flange I2 which, when the nipple is fitted in its working position, is seated upon the top surface I3 of the bearing, and an integral nozzle-engaging head part I4 which projects upwards from the top surface of the flange.

The nipple is formed with a plain cylindrical lubricant supply passage I5 which at its upper end communicates with a pear-shaped recess I6 shaped like the recess 6 in the closure member or teat shown in Figure 1. A small central hole I], which is of no measurable diameter and is normally closed, is formed as by piercing through the relatively thin material lyingbetween the top surface I8 of the closure member or teat and the'upper end of the recess l6.

In this construction also, the lateral thrust of the grease gun nozzle is applied upon and externally of the head I4, at a point indicated by the arrow, opposite to the recess I6. The leverage efiect required to open the inlet end or mouth of the hole I! is obtained in this case, however, by fitting a rigid reinforcing ring I9 which acts as a fulcrum, in a groove in the conical surface forming the upper end of the recess I6.

Each of the above constructions has been described as having a central lubricant passage in the form of a hole of no measurable diameter but it will be appreciated that this passage may also take the form of a linear slit 20 as shown in Figure 3 or it may be star-shaped having three or more radial arms 2|, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In all cases, however, the slits are pref erably knife-cut (not sawn) and thus have no measurable width.

Any type of nozzle may be used in association with the nipples provided by this invention as long as it comprises means for applying the lateral or radial thrust to the outer surface of the closure member or teat required to spread the inlet end of the small size lubricant passage and an injector device having a pointed end adapted to enter the opened end of the said passage.

Figures 6 to 10 each show a nozzle suitable for use with any of the nipples, although each nozzle is shown in its working position upon a nipple as shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 6, a sleeve 22 is screwed on to the hollow shank 23 of the grease gun. The hollow grease injector device comprises a pointed end 24 integral with a piston part 25, which is slidable in the sleeve 22, and a hollow guide shank 26 which is slidable in the bore of the grease gun shank 23 and is formed with a number of lateral ports 21. A second sleeve 28 is slidably arranged upon the outside of the sleeve 22, its slidable motion thereon being'limited by a pin or pins 29 screwed into the sleeve 22 and engaging in an elongated slot or slots 30 formed in the sleeve 28. The lower end of the latter is provided with an inwardly-turned flange 3| and between the latter and the lower end 32 of the inner sleeve 22 there is inserted a ring 33 of rectangular section made of soft resilient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber or felt.

A coil spring 34' reacts between a shoulder 35 of the gun shank 23 and the top face of thepiston part 25.

-As shown in Figure 6, when the nozzle is applied to the nipple the bottom face of the flange 3| bears upon the locating flange I2 of the nipple and thereafter manual pressure applied to the grease gun causes the inner sleeve 22 to move to wards the nipple relative to the outer sleeve 28 thereby gripping the ring 33 and causing it to be distorted radially inwards thus crushing the side of the head H! of the nipple below the ring I9 inwards as shown in dotted lines. This distortion of the nipple head (by leverage effect) causes its top surface to spread and the inlet end of the small size lubricant passage II to open. When pressure is applied to the grease by the grease gun some of the grease inside the hollow injector device passes through the ports 21 into the annular space 31 and there, acting upon the piston part 25, thrusts the injector device downwards against the counter action of the spring 34. The pointed end 24 is thus forced into the opened end of the lubricant passage I1 and a charge of grease is injected into the nipple an thence tothe place of use.

In the modified form of nozzle shown inFigure"? the end of the grease gun shank 38 is integral with or fixedly attached to a sleeve 39 the lower end of which is formed with an inwardly-turned flange 40, above which is fixed a ring 4| of soft resilient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber or felt. The skirt 42 of a hollow piston member, which also comprises a crown 43, is slidable in the bore of the sleeve 39.

The hollow injector device is formed with a pointed end 43 and is slidable in a hole 44 formed centrally in the crown 43 of the piston member,

the latter also being provided with radial guide wings 45 which are slidably guided in the bore of the skirt 42 of the piston member. A coil spring 46 which reacts between a shoulder 41 in the sleeve 42 and the wings45 thrusts the injector device upwards away from flange 49 of the sleeve, its'upWa-rd movement being limited by the shoulder 43a.

As shown in Figure 7, when the gun is in its working position upon the nipple the flange 48 bears upon the flange I2 of the nipple. When pressure is applied to the grease in the grease gun the piston member 42-43 is forced downwards gripping the ring 4! between itself and the flange 46 thus causing it to be distorted radially inwards crushing the side of the nipple head I4 below the ring I9 inwards as shown by the broken lines. The grease pressure also forces the injector member downwards against the spring 46 so that its pointed end 43 enters the opened inlet end of the lubricant passage I! and a charge of grease is injected into the nipple and thence to a place of use.

In the nozzle shown in Figure 8 the upper end of an inner sleeve 48 is screwed onto the end of the shank 49 of the grease gun nozzle. The lower end 48A of the sleeve 48 is formed with an inwardly-turned flange 49A the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. An outer sleeve 50 is slidably arranged upon the upper end of the inner sleeve 48, the slidable movement of the outer sleeve being limited by means of a pin or pins '5 I which are screwed into the-upp'er end oi L the sleeve 48 and is-or are engaged in an 'elon- I the sleeve? Thelower end-f the s1eeve50 is -iormedwith an in wardly sloping part -48B terrninated by a cylin' dri-cal flange 53. Aniimber oi jaws54" are looselyi attached to the lower part 48A- oi the inner sleeve 48 at their upper ends and are accommodated in gated slot or" slots 52 fo-rmed i the annular space between'the part'48A of the inner sleeve and the conical inner wall 53A of the outer sleeve. The-jaws are suspended from the inner sleeve by means of pins 55. The outer sleeve 50 is normally pressed downwards by means of a coil spring 56 which reacts between" by means of aspring 62 which 'rea'c'ts'between L the shoulder 63 in the part 48A of the sleeve 48 and the underside of the piston part 60. The upward movement of the injector device is limited by stops 64 provided onthe lower end of the nozzle shank 49.

When the nozzle is in its working position upon the nipple as shown'in Figure 8, the end of the flange .part 53 of the outer sleeve 50 bears upon the flange I2 of'thenipplei The inwardly-turned flange 49A of the inner ring 48 acts as a guide and embraces the nipple head I4. thuscentralising the nozzle upon the nipple. When manual thrust is applied to thenozzle the inner sleeve 48-48A with the jaws 54' move downwards relatively to the outer sleeve 50, the conical surface 53A of which acts uponthe jaws 54 and forces them inwards. This inward movement of the-jaws results in the side of the nipple head being distorted inwards below the reinforcing ring I9 as shown by the broken lines, the inner end of thelubricant passage I! being thus opened by leverage effect as previously explained. When pressure is applied to the grease in"'the grease gun the injector device is forced downwardsagainst the a-ction'of the spring 62. by reason of the thrust exerted on the piston'part 60 by the grease which flows through the ports BIA into the annular space between the upper surface of the piston partand the lower end of the shank 49 of the nozzle.

The modified nozzle shown in Figure 9 comprises a'piston member 65B which is slidably 'arranged within the bore of arr-enlarged cylindrical part 66-provided at the lower end of the nozzle shankfi'l. The end of the enlarged part 66 is formed with a sloping part 66A which is terminatedbya cylindrical flange 68; A number of.

jaws 69 are loosely attached to a reduced skirt part 65A of the piston'by means of pins 70. The piston is normally thrust upwards by means c a coil spring II which is arranged within the enlarged part 66 of the nozzle shank on the underside of the pistonmember 65B. The injector" device is formed with a pointed end I2 and with radial guide wings "I3 which are slidable within the'bore of the piston member. The upper en"? of the injector device is slidably guided in a hole I4 formed in the crown 6500f the'piston member.

A coil spring I5 'reactsbetween a shoulder 16 in the'piston skirt 65Aand'thewings 13' and thus acts to thil lst the inj ec'to'i' 'devic upwards withiri the piston; its upward' movemnt being limited by a shoulder 6 5D.

When' the nozzle isfi-applied tothe nipple as shown in -Fig re 9,-th "end- 68' of the enlarged part 136 *of the l nozzle shank bears upon the flange 2 'ofthe' nippleand the" inturned flange ll of the piston skirtfi5Alacts as a "guide; When pressure is ap'plied to the 'grease' in the grease gun the piston member' '65A--65B'is'foi'ced downwards carryingfwith it the jaws 69. contadt' with' the inner surface of the conical partBGA' ofthe enlargement 65 and are forced radially inwards l and act to distort the side "of the nipple he'a'd below the reinforcing ring I 9 as shown -bythe-brckenlines andthus to open the inleten'd bf the lubricant passage II by leverage effect. The ressure of the grease also rorees the inj ector-"device l2 downwards until its pointed endi's engag'ed i-n'the opened inlet end of the pas sage I! 'in' the "nipple and acha'rge-bf'grea'seis injected -1Iit'd the nippleand thence" to the place of 'use'.

The 'nozzle 'shoWn"in' Figur l0 comprises-' 9, 'hollow body '58 integral-"with'a conduit I9 which acts as a handle "and-is connected to a grease gun'or other pressuresource (notshcwm; The

upper end of an inner "sleeve BI is screwed on to the lower end of the nozzle body'I8"'and an outer sleeve S2 "is "slidably mou'nted upon the upper The outer sleeve is partof the inner sleeve. 7 i V formedwith a sloping part 83,which is terminated bya cylindrical part 84,"and withtwo longi"- tudinally-spaced collars 85 between which the forked end as of a levers! is engaged? The lever A number of jaws Bilare loosely attached' at their upp'enends to the inner sleeve 8I in the' annular space between the latteran-d the 'outer sleeve 82.

In thisconstructionthe injector device" com prises a hollowcylindricalshank 9 I", which "is -slid-' ablein the bores: ofthe' nozzle body I8; and a" piston -pal't"93 which'jis"sl'idablyguidedin"the" -;bore"oftninner"s1eev'e'8r. The injector device is provided with acentral'lubricant passage '94 and witli'a number of radialports 95 Which'provide communication between-" the passage 'an d outer surface ofthe shankeli A coil spring '96 ifltt'ed in'the innersleeve*acts to thrust the m jector device upwards," itsupward motion be inglimited by stops'9lprovide'd on the lower'end of the nozzle body 18. The injectordevice is also forrn'ed 'with-apointed end"98 as in the construe iltiorisdscfibed above.

When the nozzle isplace'd 'inits working p'o'si tion upo'n the nippleasshown in Figure 10, the lowerfend of 'theinner sleeve 8| fits around the" nipple he'ad I4 andthe cylindricalpart 84 of the" By pressingthe operating'arrnpf the"1ever"8l the'outer "sleeve 82" to' slide upwards rela= tively to the inner sleeve 8I;the"slopi1ig'part 83 of the outer sleeve thus' 'fo'rcihg the jaws inwardsto distort thenipple 'head" I 4- and to open the in let" end of the "lubricant passage I I by leverage effect asdescribed in reference to the--previousconstructions;

When" pressure is-applied to the grease bythe The latter grease gun some of the grease is forced out of the passage 94 in the injector device through the ports 95 into the annular space between the lower end of the nozzle body 18 and the top surface of the piston part 93, where, acting upon the latter, it thrusts the injector device downwards against the action of the spring 96. The pointed end of the injector device is thus forced into the opened inlet end of the lubricant passage l1 and grease is injected thereinto as described in reference to previous constructions.

I claim:

1. A resilient, lubricant-impervious closure member, having a generally cylindrical, nozzle:

2. A resilient, lubricant-impervious closure member as defined in claim 1, which comprises a recessed cap adapted to be fitted over the open end of a hollow, lubricant-supply conduit, and wherein the outer end of said conduit forms the said fulcrum means. 7

3. A resilient, lubricant-impervious closure member having a cylindrical nozzle-engaging head, a recess within said head, a normally closed lubricant duct or no measurable dimension ex-" tending between the upper surface of said closure member and the upper part of said recess, a hollow shank portion communicating with the recess in said nozzle-engaging head, and rigid fulcrum means engaging the inner wall of said recess ra-- dially of the point at which said duct terminates therein to cause said duct to open when the walls of the recessed portion of said nozzle-engaging head are constricted below the said rigid fulcrum means.

4. A closure for a lubricant receiving passageway comprising a body member of fluid-impervious, resilient, deformable material having a passageway extending axially from end to end thereof including a generally spherical-shaped en larged portion spaced inwardly of the outer end of said body member and a pierced portion in the outer end portion of said body member of no measurable transverse dimensions whenthe body member is in relaxed condition extending out terminus of the pierced portion of said passage- 1 way to cause the outer end portion of said body member to be deformed in a direction to enlarge the said pierced portion of the passageway radially when said body member is constricted on the side of said rigid means opposite the said inner terminus.

5. A closure for a lubricant receiving passageway comprising a body member of fluid-impervious, resilient, deformable material having a passageway extending axially from end to end thereof including a generally spherical-shaped enlarged portion spaced inwardly of the outer end of said'body member and a pierced portion in the outer endpcrtion of the body member of no measurable transverse dimensions when the body member is in relaxed condition extending outwardly from said enlarged portion, said enlarged portion of said passageway having a sub stantially annular groove in its periphery spaced axially inwardly of the'inner terminus of the pierced portion of said passageway, and rigid means to engage in said groove for causing the outer end portion of said body member to be deformed in a direction to enlarge said pierced portion of the passageway radially when said body member is constricted on the side of said rigid means opposite the said inner terminus.

6. A closure for a lubricant receiving passageway comprising a body member of fluid-imperportion, and substantially annular nondeformable means substantially concentric with the inner terminus of the pierced portion of said passageway and of a diameter less than the maximum diameter of said enlarged portion of the passageway engaging the inner periphery of the said enlarged portion axially inwardly of the inner terminus of the said pierced portion, said annular means forming a stretcher across which the outer end portion of said body member is deformed to enlarge the pierced opening radially when said body member is constricted over the enlarged portion of a passageway on the side of said annular means opposite the said inner terminus.

7. A closure for a lubricant receiving passageway, comprising a body member of resilient, fluidimpervious, deformable material including a shank for anchoring said body member in a passageway and a generally cylindrical head, said body member having a passageway extending axially from end to end thereof including a generally spherical-shaped enlarged portion spaced inwardly of the outer end of said head and a pierced portion of no measurable transverse dimensions when the body member is in relaxed condition extending through said head outwardly from said enlarged portion, said enlarged portionof said passageway having a substantially concentric groove in its periphery spaced axially inwardly of the inner terminus of the pierced portionof the passageway, and a rigid ring engaged in said groove-to cause the outer end portion ofsaidhead to be deformed in a direction to enlargethe said pierced'portion of the passageway radially when saidhead is constricted on the side of said-ring opposite the said inner terminus.

8. A closure for a lubricant receiving passageway, comprising a body member of resilient fluidimpervious, deformable material including a shank for anchoring said body member in a passageway and a generally cylindrical head, said body member having a passageway extending axially from end to end thereof including a generally spherical-shaped enlargedportion spaced inwardly of the outer end of said head and a pierced portion of no measurable transverse dimensions when the body member is in relaxed condition extending through said head outwardly from said enlarged portion, said enlarged portion of said passageway having a substantially concentric groove in its periphery spaced axially inwardly of the inner terminus of thepierced ber inwardlyrof the lubricanii receivingg' assageiway and provid'efalse'at 3:91? theiclispensing. nozzle 10V iasew 1 1 rtion of the passageway, a rigid-ring engaged P said groove .to cause the outeruend portion of sam hearts bejd'e'formed a caiieeficn a enof a lubricant supply.

9. A'lubricantjreceiving ,fittingfcpmprising a rigid body. iiieinberi having, a shank for anchor- ,ing {the fitting'ina lubricant receiving passagewayian'd a tubular. extension projectingoutwardly relative to saidfshank, said bodylmernber having a continuous passageway which. extends through ,sa'idjshankfand, extension, and a closure for the passageway in said fitting, conip'risingla. genvious, deformable material having, an. axialpassageway including" 7 an intermediately located generally spherical-shapedportionof larger 'di ameter ,than fsaid extension, 1 a j normally closed closure. extending outwardly from. said enlarged" portion,and apolftion in the opposite end of said closure extending f rom said enlarged ,portion in a direction opposite to said; vpierced portension ,whentelescoped oyer the same, said, ex-" tension engaging the sinner periphery of the spherical enlarged portion .of the passageway inwardly time inner terminus of the. said pierced portion of the passageway and substan- "'a'i'maef tha'n "saidf'iex" nsion, a; normally closed tiall'y'f concentrically relative thereto when the parts are tele s'eop ed to, provide 'a rigid substantially circularstretcheracross which the outer 'end portion of'is a'id olosure'isdeformed to enlarge'th'e said pierced portionpfthe passageway radially when the'closure is censtricted along the"- p'ort'ionfthereof in which the' cross-sectional area 'ofthe spherical portion of the passageway exe eus thcro'ss-setionalj area of the extension.

'10.A lubricant receiving fitting coinprising a rigidlbody membe'rfhaving a shank f oif, anchoring the fitting ma'mbricantreceiving passageway and an extension projecting outwardly relative to said s ank; said may member having a continuous passagewaymerem ughqand a closure 'for the passageway comprising 'agenera'lly y-f lindrical'body of resilient,ffiuid iinpei'vious, de-

iorrnable'material 'having an' arm passageway nemdmg an intermediate'portion of larger dipi'ieeapom i ex d ng 'throughthoouter end: portion of thecl" u'rfandlterminating 'at its i'nrie'r'end in'a 'p'artiof' progressively increasing cross-sectional "area me ging with the Y enlarged portion ofthe passag wayfana a portion in the bbpsiteie'nd of said closure extending from the gaging in 'said groove when the closure is telescoped upon said extension to form a stretcher across which the outer end portion of the'closure is deformed to enlarge the pierced opening there'- -in radially when the closure is constricted along -tlienlargedportion of the passageway.

1 rigidbo'dy member having a shank for anchoring ntheYfittin'g in: a lubricant receiving passageway, a head and a tubular extension projecting out- Q wardly from said head, said body memberhaving c. erallyfi lindrical body of' resili'ent, fluid-imperi -closu 're for the said passageway comprising a generally cylindrical body of resilient, fluid-impervious, deformable material havingan. axial e I e passageway including an intermediate portion pierced portionin theouterend portionlof said ll klubricant receivingfittin'g comprising a a1 continuous -passageway ,therethrough, and a of larger diameter than said extension, a norrnally closed pierced portion extending through theouter end portion of the closure and terminating at itsinner end in a part of progressively v g g n v increasing cross-sectional area merging with the tion and I of a diameter snu ly 1 i r 30 enlarged portion of the passageway, and a vportion in the opposite end of said closure extending from the-said enlarged portion in a direction "opposite to the said pierced portion and formed v[snugly to grip the extension when the closure i'sntelescoped over the same, said part of the .passageway of increasing cross-sectional. area lhaving a groove formed therein substantially concentric with the inner terminus of the pierced portion of the passageway, the outer end of said extension engaging in said groove when the ,opening therein radially when the closure is constricted along the enlarged portion of the passageway, said head limiting telescopic movement of the closure upon the rigid body of the fitting and providing a seat for the dispensing nozzle of a lubricant supply.

CLARE SPRANIQJNG LE CLAIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date "120,693 Wood Nov. '7, 1871 660,894 Ernst Oct. 30, 1900 2 ,235,23s Forsberg Mar. 11, 1941 

